Peachtree Academy

SUMMER READING 2014

For Rising KINDERGARTEN Students

Summer provides many opportunities for parents and young children to enjoy unforgettable books together. We

would like for all of our families to provide reading opportunities for their children during the summer. Here is

a list of books to help you get started. Choose a few to share with your child. Enjoy!

Read Alouds

Aylesworth: Naughty Little Monkeys c2003 alphabet

Twenty-six monkeys get into mischief when their parents go out for the evening in this rhyming

alphabet book.

Ehlert: Pie in the Sky c2004 family fiction

As a father and his child view the cherry tree in their back yard, they refer to it as a pie tree.

Includes a recipe.

Kimmel: The Gingerbread Man c1993 fairy tale

This familiar fairy tale features a gingerbread man who runs away from the woman who bakes

him and meets other animals along the way, including a clever fox.

Pfister: Rainbow Fish animal stories

The most beautiful fish in the ocean with the shimmering silver

scales discovers the beauty of sharing.

Rosen: We're Going on a Bear Hunt c2003 animals, fiction

Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud and other obstacles before the inevitable

encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat.

Rosenthal: Duck! Rabbit! c2009 animals

Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a rabbit or a duck.

Sierra: Counting Crocodiles c1997 counting, rhyming

A monkey outsmarts ten crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree by using her ability

to count.

Sierra: Wild About Books c2004 animals, humor

A librarian accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and subsequently reads a Dr. Seuss book

to the animals.

Taback: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat c1999 diversity

Joseph starts out with an overcoat and ends with a button.

Thompson: Little Quack c2003 animals

Mama Duck encourages her four ducklings to leave the nest. The youngest and smallest, Little

Quack, proves to be the most reluctant.

Wood: Alphabet Adventure c2001 alphabet

The letters of the alphabet join the search to help "i" find her dot in order to continue their

journey in this colorful alphabet book.

Wood:The Napping House c1984 sleep, fiction

While a number of creatures sleep, a flea causes a commotion among them with just one bite.

For Rising FIRST GRADE Students

Book Report #1 - Sandwich Book Report

Each upcoming first grader is to pick one book from the following list and complete the assigned sandwich book report.

100 Days of School Caps for Sale Cat in the Hat Corduroy

Curious George Fancy Nancy Flat Stanley The Gingerbread Man

Green Eggs and Ham Henry and Mudge Kissing Hand Morris Goes to School

Owl Moon Rainbow Fish Snowy Day The Hungry Caterpillar

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake If You Give a Pig a Pancake Library Mouse

Duck for President

You are to create a sandwich with the following items. Be creative! You can create a mobile, use foam, poster board, etc…

1. Top slice of bread, - write the title and the author’s name.

2. Onion – Setting – describe when and where the story takes place.

3. Lettuce – Main Characters – tell who the story is about.

4. Tomato – Plot – describe the main events and actions in the story.

5. Cheese – Conclusion – tell about the ending.

6. Meat – Favorite Part – describe your favorite part of the book.

7. Bottom slice of bread – write your name and date. Draw a picture of your favorite part.

Book Report #2 – The Giving Tree

Each upcoming first grader is to read The Giving Tree. There will be activities and assignments designed around this

book during the first week of school.

For Rising SECOND GRADE Students

All 2nd grade students are required to read Sarah, Plain and Tall. We will discuss and

complete activities with this book the first week of school.

All upcoming 2nd graders need to choose one book from the list below to read and complete a

project on it. Please choose one of the following projects to do for the book your child

chooses. This project needs to be brought to class the first day of school.

Choice 1: Cereal Box

See attached instructions.

Choice 2: Book Cover

The student will create a book cover about his/her favorite part of the book. The cover needs

to have the book title and author on it. It must have a picture and it must be colored. The

picture must be original and not copied from the any current cover. The student will then

write a brief description on the back about what happened and why it is his/her favorite part

of the book.

Book List

A to Z Mysteries Series (Roy)

Chalk Box Kid (Bulla)

Magic Tree House Series (Osborne)

Frog and Toad Series (Lobel)

The Boxcar Children Series (Warner)

The Courage of Sarah Noble (Dalgliesh)

Cam Jansen Series (Adler)

Judy Moody and Stink Series (McDonald)

Nate the Great Series (Sharmat)

Amber Brown Series (Danzinger)

Magic School Bus (Chapter books and Picture Books)

For Rising Third Grade Students

All 3rd grade students are required to read The Mouse and the Motorcycle. We will discuss and do some activities with this book the first week of school. All upcoming 3rd graders need to choose one book from the list below to read and complete a project on it. Please choose one of the following projects to do for the book your child chooses. This project needs to be brought to class the first day of school.

Diorama

Choose a scene from the book and create a 3-D representation of that scene. Make it creative and colorful. Set the diorama up in a shoe box type box. You may cut out pictures from a magazine, draw your own, use real objects, etc. The sky is the limit, but be creative and use color. Also, I am looking for neatness. Be sure to include your name, the title of your book, and the author.

Baseball card

Choose one of the main characters and make a baseball card. On one side, draw a picture of the character. On the back side, include information you learned about your character. You can include age, hair color, likes, dislikes interests, etc. Again, be colorful, creative, and neat. Make it on regular size paper. Be sure to include your name, book title, and author.

Choose 1 of your choice

“Jake Drake” series (Clements) “Clementine” series (Pennypacker) Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Superfudge, or any other Judy Blume book Any Beverly Cleary book “Magic Treehouse” series (Osbourne) Nonfiction” Magic Treehouse” companions The Chocolate Touch (Patrick Skene Catling) The Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Paterson) The Hundred Dresses (Eleanor Estes) Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) James and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl) “I Survived” series (Lauren Tarhis) “Who Was” or Who Is” series

For Rising FOURTH GRADE Students

** Required Novel: Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White**

Each incoming 4th

grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the list below

and writing a book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can be found at the end of

the grade level book lists. All incoming 4th

grade students are also responsible for reading the

required novel for their grade. This novel will be discussed at length and in detail during the

first month of school.

Fourth grade summer reading entails two reading tasks. The first task is to select ONE book from the in-class

project list and note the elements listed; the other task is to select ONE book from the “Book in a Bag” list and

follow the attached instructions in creating a “Book in a Bag.”

In-Class Reading Project: Please select one book from the below list and note the elements of character, plot

(sequence of events), setting, and theme (moral or lesson learned) as you read. A project will be assigned the

first day of school that will reflect the book you read; this project will be given a due date when the school year

begins.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very

Interesting Boy, Jeanne Birdsall, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7

Holes, Lois Sachar, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.6

The BFG, Roald Dahl, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary, Candace Fleming

Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.9

The Trumpet of the Swan, E. B. White Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.9

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Carl Bowen, Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.0

“Book in a Bag” Summer Book Project: Please select one book from the below list and complete the “Book

in a Bag” project using the guidelines attached. Please be prepared to present your “Book in a Bag” on the first

day of school.

Beezus and Ramona, Beverly Cleary, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume, Accelerated Reader Book Level 3.3

When Zachary Beaver Came To Town, Kimberly Willis Holt, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.5

The Indian in the Cupboard, Lynne Reid Banks, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7

4th Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli, Accelerated Reader Book Level 2.6

Fourth and Fifth Grade

“Book in a Bag” Project

1. On one side of a paper bag, draw a colorful scene from the book. Also include:

a. The title of the book

b. The author

c. Your name

2. On the back of the bag, please write:

a. Main Characters- Include all of the main characters

b. Supporting Characters- Include any other characters that may have been

in the story but were not main characters.

c. Setting - Include the places and the time periods your story took place.

d. Conflicts - Include the main problem within the story (4-5 sentences).

e. Resolutions - How does the story end (4-5 sentences)?

3. Inside the bag, place at least six objects that represent significant events that happened in

the book. You could also place objects that show aspects of the main characters’

personalities.

4. You will be asked to present your “Book in a Bag” project on the first day of school. You

will also be required to tell the class about each item in your bag and why you chose this item.

Happy reading!

For Rising FIFTH GRADE Students

** Required Novel: Old Yeller by Robert Stevenson**

Each incoming 5th

grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the list below

and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can be found at the end of

the grade level book lists. All incoming 5th

grade students are also responsible for reading the

required novel for their grade. This novel will be discussed at length and in detail during the

first month of school.

Fifth grade summer reading entails two reading tasks. The first task is to select ONE book from the in-class

project list and note the elements listed; the other task is to select ONE book from the “Book in a Bag” list and

follow the attached instructions in creating a “Book in a Bag.”

In-Class Reading Project: Please select one book from the below list and note the elements of character, plot

(sequence of events), setting, and theme (moral or lesson learned) as you read. A project will be assigned the

first day of school that will reflect the book you read; this project will be given a due date when the school year

begins.

The Homework Machine, Dan Gutman, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.8

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, Jeanne Birdsall, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.6

Midnight Magic, Avi, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.7

Old Yeller, Fred Gipson, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.0

The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster, Accelerated Reader Book Level 6.7

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, Robert C. O'Brien, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.1

“Book in a Bag” Summer Book Project: Please select one book from the below list and complete the “Book

in a Bag” project using the guidelines attached. Please be prepared to present your “Book in a Bag” on the first

day of school.

Elephant Run, Roland Smith, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.0

Hatchet, Gary Paulsen, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.7

Island of the Blue Dolphin, Scott O’Dell, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.4

Fifth Grade: Here Comes Trouble, Colleen O’Shaughnessy McKenna, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.4

Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.9

Report to the Principal’s Office, Jerry Spinelli, Accelerated Reader Book Level 4.5

Wind in the Willows (abridged) , Kenneth Graham, Accelerated Reader Book Level 5.9

For Rising SIXTH GRADE Students

Sixth Grade Book List and Instructions

** Required Novel: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan **

Each incoming 6th

grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the

list below and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can

be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 6th

grade students are

also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will be

discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.

Book Title Author Name

The Swiss Family Robinson Johann Wyss

A Wrinkle in Time Madeline L’Engle

Hatchet Gary Paulsen

Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O’Dell

Stargirl Jerry Spinelli

A Year Down Yonder Richard Peck

Rules Cynthia Lord

White Fang Jack London

The Giver Lois Lowry

Tuck Everlasting Natalie Babbitt

The Black Stallion Walter Farley

Holes Louis Sachar

For Rising SEVENTH GRADE Students

Seventh Grade Book List and Instructions

** Required Novel: A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck **

Each incoming 7th

grader is responsible for reading one book of the choice from the

list below and writing on book review. Specific guidelines for the book review can

be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 6th

grade students are

also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will be

discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.

Book Title Author Name

Kidnapped Robert Louis Stevenson

Call of the Wild Jack London

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Jules Verne

Bridge to Terabithia Katherine Patterson

The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank

Pictures of Hollis Woods Patricia Giff

Hoot Carl Hiaasen

Catherine, Called Birdy Karen Cushman

Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery

Out of the Dust Karen Hesse

Invincible Louisa Cornelia Miegs

Summer Reading Book Review Instructions

6th

and 7th

Grade

Students in 6th

and 7th grade will read one book of their choice from the grade level list and

write a book review according to the guidelines as follows:

All book reviews must be typed: prepared in 12 point font either Times New Roman or

Calibri, with double line spacing, 1inch margins, and printed in black type on white

paper.

Please adhere to grammar and spelling rules.

The book review will be a minimum of three paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a strong

topic sentence, five to seven supporting sentences and a concluding/transitional sentence.

Paragraph 1: Introduce the book. Give title, author, genre, and a brief summary of the

novel.

Paragraph 2: Discuss the book’s theme (remember that the main idea is what the book

about; theme pertains to larger meanings and life lessons)

Paragraph 3: Discuss something that really stood out about this book and why. Did you

connect with a character or relate to a similar situation? Would you recommend this book

to a friend? Why or why not? Remember that you are acting as a literary critic, so be

specific.

Students should be prepared to turn in their book reviews to their English teacher during

the first week of school.

For Rising EIGHTH GRADE Students

Eighth Grade Book List and Instructions

** Required Novel: Having Our Say, The Delaney Sisters **

Each incoming 8th grader is responsible for reading one book of choice from the

list below, and writing one five paragraph essay. Specific guidelines for the essay

can be found at the end of the grade level book lists. All incoming 8th

grade students

are also responsible for reading the required novel for their grade. This novel will

be discussed at length and in detail during the first month of school.

Book Title Author Name

Little Women Louisa May Alcott

Cold Sassy Tree Olive Ann Burns

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson

The Hiding Place Corrie Ten Boom

My Antonia Willa Cather

The Old Man and the Sea Ernest Hemingway

Christy Catherine Marshall

Flowers for Algernon Daniel Keyes

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Mark Twain

Crash Jerry Spinelli

Journey to the Center of the Earth Jules Verne

The Outsiders S. E. Hinton

For Rising 9th – 12th GRADE Students

All incoming students are responsible for reading one book of choice from the list

below, and writing one five paragraph essay according to the instructions listed

below. The required grade level novel will be discussed at length and in detail

during the first month of school.

9th

Grade Required Novel: Night by Elie Weisel

10th

Grade Required Novel: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

11th

Grade Required Novel: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

12th

Grade Required Novel: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kessy

Book Essay Instructions

8th – 12th Grade

Students in 8th - 12th grades will read one book of their choice from the grade list and will write

an essay according to the guidelines as follows:

Minimum Requirements: The essay will be a minimum of 4 paragraphs. Each paragraph is

required to have a strong topic or thesis sentence, 5-7 supporting sentences, and a conclusion

or transition sentence.

Paragraph 1 should follow the guidelines above and contain a summary of the entire

novel.

Paragraph 2 should follow the guidelines above and describe one character from the

novel in detail. The details should include a physical description, conflicts encountered

in the book, and growth or change in the character through the book.

Paragraph 3 should follow the guidelines above and will concentrate on outlining,

describing, and discussing one theme presented in the book. Discuss how the theme is

developed and the author’s message regarding this theme.

Paragraph 4 should follow the guidelines above and should be a personal reflection by

the student about the book. What did you like or dislike about the book? How did the

book affect you as a reader? Etc.

Students should be prepared to turn in their essays during the first week of school.

Book Title Author Name

Oliver Twist Charles Dickens

Dust Tracks on the Road Zora Neale Hurston

The Pilgrims Progress John Bunyan

The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd

Ben Hur Lew Wallace

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Betty Smith

Lord of the Flies William Golding

Mississippi Trial, 1955 Chris Crowe

The Pearl John Steinbeck

The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Ken Kesey

Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury

Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe

Shindler’s List Thomas Keneally

In His Steps Charles Sheldon

For Whom the Bell Tolls Ernest Hemmingway

Member of the Wedding Carson McCullers

Speak Lori Halse Anderson

A Time to Kill John Grisham

The Awakening Kate Chopin

Dr. Zhivago Boris Pasternak

Animal Farm George Orwell

In the Time of Butterflies Julia Alvarez

Ivanhoe Sir Walter Scott

Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes

Pygmalion George Bernard Shaw

Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck

The Sound and the Fury William Faulkner